Self-exclusion in Ohio

How to put yourself on Ohio's self-exclusion list, what it covers, and what it does not.

Programme: Time Out Ohio, formerly the Ohio Voluntary Exclusion Program (Ohio VEP). 'Time Out Ohio is a partnership between the Ohio Casino Control Commission and the Ohio Lottery Commission.'timeoutohio.com, checked 3 October 2026
Covers online betting: Yes for sports betting. The rules define an 'excluded entity' to include 'all sports gaming conducted by sports gaming proprietors', and the related rule refers to an excluded entity that is 'a casino or sports gaming facility or an online sports pool'.codes.ohio.gov, checked 3 October 2026
Covers casinos and shops: Yes. 'Excluded facilities' means 'all casino facilities, as defined in section 3772.01 of the Revised Code; all video lottery terminal facilities, as authorized in section 3770.21 of the Revised Code; and all sports gaming facilities' — in practice the four Ohio casinos, the seven racinos and all sports gaming facility sportsbooks.codes.ohio.gov, checked 3 October 2026
Covers the lottery: Video lottery terminal facilities (the racinos) only. The rule's definition of excluded facilities names 'all video lottery terminal facilities, as authorized in section 3770.21 of the Revised Code' and does not mention Ohio Lottery draw games, scratch-offs, KENO or iLottery, even though the Ohio Lottery Commission co-runs the programme. The programme pages are silent on retail lottery products rather than ruling them out; if retail lottery or KENO is your problem, ask the Ohio Lottery before relying on Time Out Ohio.codes.ohio.gov, checked 3 October 2026
How long you can choose: One year, five years, or lifetime. 'The term lengths for the Time Out Ohio are for the minimum duration of 1 year, for the minimum duration of 5 years, and for a lifetime.'timeoutohio.com, checked 3 October 2026
Can it be undone: Never automatically, and even a lifetime ban can be ended. You are not released when your term runs out: 'At the end of the applicable banned period, you are not automatically removed from Time Out Ohio, and you will need to complete a request for removal application.' A lifetime enrollee can also get out, which is unusual: under the rules 'An individual may be removed from the lifetime exclusion, if the individual has: (1) Remained in the Ohio VEP for at least five years; (2) Completed the Ohio VEP education program on problem gambling awareness; and (3) Requested and completed an unaltered application for removal.'codes.ohio.gov, checked 3 October 2026
What happens when it ends: Not confirmed. We could not confirm this from an official source. Check with Ohio Casino Control Commission, in partnership with the Ohio Lottery Commission.
How you sign up: No notary. Online through the Time Out Ohio portal at www.TimeOutOhio.com, or in person — 'go to any Ohio casino or racino and meet with a Commission member', where staff will help you complete the online process. You need 'your valid government-issued ID and your full social security number' plus a camera-ready device. You must also agree to forfeit all points, complimentaries and promotional credits at every Ohio casino, racino and sports gaming proprietor.timeoutohio.com, checked 3 October 2026

Worth knowing before you start

Two things worth knowing before you sign. A 'lifetime' ban in Ohio is not permanent in the way the word suggests: the administrative rules let a lifetime enrollee apply for removal after five years plus a problem-gambling education course. Conversely, a one- or five-year ban does not lift itself — you stay excluded until you actively apply to come off, which for many people is the better outcome. Your exclusion may also reach affiliated casino properties outside Ohio.

Done? The rest of the hour: blockers, a bank block, closing the accounts, telling one person.

Every fact on this page was read from an official source and dated. The oldest of them was checked on 3 October 2026. Tell us if something here is wrong.